70 per cent hit by web scams

More than three-quarters of Britons, some 38 million people, have been targeted by internet scams during the past year, according to a survey.

The report, issued by life assistance firm CPP, found that online fraud is at its highest ever recorded rate.

Seven out of 10 people said they had received 'phishing' emails, where fraudsters try to trick consumers into revealing personal information such as passwords and bank accounts.

Sixty-seven per cent of respondents noted the arrival of emails in their Inbox informing them they had won the lottery, while seven out of 10 said they had received emails requesting money.

Read Web User's guide to online security

Speaking to Web User earlier this year, Garreth Griffith, PayPal's head of Risk Management, said: "The two most common ways that people are defrauded are receiving 'urgent' emails that ask them for personal information like bank account numbers or passwords or buying things on the internet from people who never send it and just take the money and run."

Michael Lynch, identity fraud expert at CPP, said that as well as high levels of phishing attacks, malware attacks were also on the increase.

"We are now seeing more 'malware' attacks such as key-logging, where fraudsters can read what you type on your computer to capture your passwords and other sensitive financial information without you even knowing," Lynch said.

Lynch warned people to be aware of emails purporting to be from your bank or PayPal that look "a bit funny". Banks never ask for customers for their login information.

Read Web User's live chat with Garreth Griffith